Activation and re-activation potential of T cells responding to staphylococcal enterotoxin B

To elucidate the parameters that lead to superantigen inducednon-responsiveness, an in vitro model for studying primary andsecondary responses to the bacterial superantlgen staphylococcalenterotoxin B (SEB) was established. Upon re-activation withSEB, in vitro SEB primed T cells show an early proliferativeresponse that ‘quenches’ in time and is severelyimpaired 3 days after re-stimulatlon. Despite their overallimpaired proliferative capacity and IL-2 production, these Tcells are able to produce IFN-_ß and to up-regulateactivation markers CD69 and IL-2R upon re-stimulation with SEB,demonstrating that SEB non-responsiveness is not absolute. Rather,it reflects the inability to mount an ongoing proliferativeresponse upon re-stimulation with SEB. Our results also demonstratethat SEB-induced non-responsiveness is not simply the resultof presentation in the absence of co-stimulation, since presentationof SEB on highly purified dendritic cells during the primaryresponse did not prevent the induction of non-responsiveness.Aspreviously shown, SEB induces a T_h1 phenotype in respondingCD4⁺ T cells. Skewing towards a T_h2 phenotype by adding IL-4and antibodies to IFN-_ß did not prevent the inductionof non-responsiveness by SEB. Interestingly, T cells pretreatedwith plate-bound anti-CD3 and anti-V_ß8 were also non-responsiveto SEB re-stimulation. Thus, non-responsiveness to SEB (definedhere as inability to produce IL-2 and proliferate) seems toreflect an intrinsic inability of previously activated T cellsto respond to SEB, probably reflecting differences in signaltransduction pathways used by naive versus previously activatedT cells.     

Fas／FasL在超抗原SEA诱导T细胞凋亡中的作用

目的超抗原能诱导 T细胞凋亡 ,但其作用机制尚未阐明 ,Fas系统与 Ca2 在其中的作用尚待进一步研究。方法超抗原金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素 A(SEA)诱导人外周血建立的短期 SEA反应 T细胞系凋亡 ,1.8%琼脂糖凝胶 DNA电泳于不同时间观察凋亡的特征条带 ;FCM检测 Fas、Fas L 的表达量变化 ,Fura- 2 / AM荧光指示剂检测胞浆游离 [Ca2 ]i的变化。结果使用 FCM特异性检测凋亡亚 G0 / G1峰大小及 1.8%琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测凋亡 DNA梯状图谱证明 ,SEA能诱导短期 SEA反应 T细胞凋亡 ,其凋亡的时间与程度与 SEA的剂量有关。SEA1μg/ ml建立的短期 SEA反应 T细胞对 SEA1μg/ml的再次刺激 ,凋亡量随作用时间的延长而增多 ,在作用的第 16 h最高 ,达 5 8%。 FCM间接荧光染色法检测发现 ,Fas及Fas L 亦随 SEA作用时间的延长而表达增多 ,16 h时表达最多 ,分别为 92 %和 6 0 %。用 Fura- 2 / AM荧光指示剂检测 ,此时细胞胞浆 [Ca2 ]i已从刺激前的 (2 90± 33) nm ol/ L 上升到 (6 80± 16 ) nmol/ L。结论 Fas系统与 SEA诱导的 T细胞凋亡密切相关。换言之 ,Fas系统在超抗原诱导 T细胞凋亡中起作用 ,而胞浆 [Ca2 ]i升高与 SEA诱导的凋亡 T细胞 DNA断裂及其它凋亡形态变化有关。     

CD28/CTLA-4/B7 and CD40/CD40L costimulation and activation of regulatory T cells

Costimulatory signals are crucial for T cell activation. Attempts to block costimulatory pathways have been effective in preventing unwanted immune reactions. In particular, blocking the CD28/cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen(CTLA)-4/B7 interaction(using CTLA-4Ig) and the CD40/CD40 L interaction(using anti-CD40 L antibodies) prevents T cell mediated autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and graft vs host disease in experimental models. Moreover, CTLA-4Ig is in clinical use to treat rheumatoid arthritis(abatacept) and to prevent rejection of renal transplants(belatacept). Under certain experimental conditions, this treatment can even result in tolerance. Surprisingly, the underlying mechanisms of immune modulation are still not completely understood. We here discuss the evidence that costimulation blockade differentially affects effector T cells(Teff) and regulatory T cells(Treg). The latter are required to control inappropriate and unwanted immune responses, and their activity often contributes to tolerance induction and maintenance. Unfortunately, our knowledge on the costimulatory requirements of Treg cells is very limited. We therefore summarize the current understanding ofthe costimulatory requirements of Treg cells, and elaborate on the effect of anti-CD40 L antibody and CTLA-4Ig treatment on Treg cell activity. In this context, we point out that the outcome of a treatment aiming at blocking the CD28/CTLA-4/B7 costimulatory interaction can vary with dosing, timing and underlying immunopathology.     

Cytotoxicity and weak CD40 ligand expression of CD8+ type 2 cytotoxic T cells restricts their potential B cell helper activity

Naive CD8⁺ T cells differentiate into distinct cytokine-secreting subsets: T helper (Th)1-like cytotoxic T cells (Tc1) and Th2-like Tc2. Although Th2 cells provide strong B cell help, we show that Tc2 cells secreting the same cytokines provide only modest B cell help for IgM production, and only when large numbers of B cells were stimulated with small numbers of Tc2 cells. Lack of effective B cell help by Tc2 cells was attributable partly to their cytotoxicity towards B cells. Both Tc1 and Tc2 cells killed small resting B cells mainly by a perforin-dependent mechanism. In contrast to normal Tc2 cells, perforin-deficient Tc2 cells failed to kill small resting B cells and induced IgM and IgG1 production, although their B cell help was significantly lower than that mediated by Th2 cells. This may be partly attributable to the ability of Tc2 but not Th2 cells to kill activated B cells even in the absence of perforin. Plate-bound anti-CD3 antibodies inhibited Tc2 killing of B cells and induced substantial immunoglobulin production. Additionally, Tc1 and Tc2 cells failed to express CD40 ligand (CD40L), whereas Th1 and Th2 cells expressed high levels of CD40L. Stimulation of Tc1 and Tc2 cells with plate-bound anti-CD3 antibodies for extended periods resulted in low-level expression of CD40L. Proliferation of small resting B cells correlated with immunoglobulin production: proliferation was promoted strongly by Th1 and Th2, weakly by normal Tc1 and Tc2, and moderately by perforin-deficient Tc1 and Tc2 cells. Thus, Tc2 cells may not contribute significantly to cognate B cell help during normal responses.     

4-1BB co-stimulation enhances human CD8(+) T cell priming by augmenting the proliferation and survival of effector CD8(+) T cells

Interactions between 4-1BB and its ligand, 4-1BBL, enhance CD8(+) T cell-mediated antiviral and antitumor immunity in vivo. However, mechanisms regulating the priming of CD8(+) T cell responses by 4-1BB remain unclear, particularly in humans. The 4-1BB receptor was undetectable on naive or resting human CD8(+) T cells and induced in vitro by TCR triggering. Naive cord blood cells were therefore primed in vitro against peptides or cellular antigens and then co-stimulated with 4-1BBL or agonistic antibodies. Co-stimulation enhanced effector function such as IFN-gamma production and cytotoxicity by augmenting numbers of antigen-specific and effector CD8(+) T cells. OKT3 responses also showed reduced cell death and revealed that the proliferation of CD8(+) T cells required two independently regulated events. One, the induction of IL-2 production, could be directly triggered by 4-1BB engagement on CD8(+) T cells in the absence of accessory cells. The other, expression of CD25, was induced with variable efficacy by accessory cells. Thus, suboptimal accessory cells and 4-1BB co-stimulation combined their effects to enhance IL-2 production and proliferation. Reduced apoptosis observed after co-stimulation in the presence of accessory cells correlated with increased levels of Bcl-X(L) in CD8(+) T cells, while Bcl-2 expression remained unchanged. Altogether, 4-1BB enhanced expansion, survival and effector functions of newly primed CD8(+) T cells, acting in part directly on these cells. As 4-1BB triggering could be protracted from the TCR signal, 4-1BB agonists may function through these mechanisms to enhance or rescue suboptimal immune responses.     

CD28 ligands CD80 (B7-1) and CD86 (B7-2) induce long-term autocrine growth of CD4+ T cells and induce similar patterns of cytokine secretion in vitro

The interaction of CD28 and its ligands is critical for antigen-inducedT cell activation. Recent studies have demonstrated the existenceof at least two members of the B7 receptor family. In this report,the co-stimulatory signals provided by CD80 (B7-1) or CD86 (B7-2)were compared to CD28 ligation by mAb. We demonstrate that thekinetics of induction of T cell proliferation after anti-CD3stimulation was similar regardless of the form of co-stimulation.Similarly, B7-1 and B7-2 could both maintain long-term expansionof CD4 cells. The co-stimulatory effects of both B7-1 and B7-2were dependent on CD28 cross-linking, based on complete inhibitionof proliferation by CD28 antibody Fab fragments. Co-stimulationwith B7-1 and B7-2 induced high levels of cytokine secretionby resting T cells, and the effects of B7-1 and B7-2 could notbe distinguished. This conclusion is based on analysis of theinitial activation of CD28⁺ T cells. as well as T cell subpopulationsconsisting of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. Both B7-1 and B7-2 couldelicit IL-4 secretion from CD4⁺ T cells while anti-CD28 antibodyinduced substantially less IL-4 secretion. Furthermore, bothB7-1 and B7-2 could stimulate high levels of IFN- and IL-4 fromCD4⁺CD45RO⁺ cells, while neither B7 receptor could co-stimulateIFN- and IL-4 secretion from CD4⁺CD45RA⁺ T cells. B7-1 and B7-2could, however, co-stimulate CD4⁺CD45RA⁺ T cells to secreteIL-2. By contrast, when previously activated T cells were tested,re-stimulation of CD4⁺ T cell blasts with B7-1 or B7-2 resultedin higher secretion of IL-4 and IL-5 than anti-CD28, while re-stimulationwith anti-CD28 antibody maintained a higher level of secretionof IL-2 and IFN- than B7-1 or B7-2. These observations may haveimportant implications because they suggest that the mannerof CD28 ligation can be a critical determinant in the developmentof cytokine secretion that corresponds to T_h1- and T_h2-likepatterns of differentiation. Together these observations suggestthat there are no Intrinsic differences between B7-1 and B7-2in their ability to co-stimulate the populations of cells thatwe have tested.     

B cells can prime naive CD4+ T cells in vivo in the absence of other professional antigen-presenting cells in a CD154-CD40-dependent manner

The role of B cells as APC is well established. However, their ability to prime naive T cells in vivo has been difficult to examine because of the presence of dendritic cells. The current studies were undertaken to examine this issue in a model of adoptive transfer of antigen-specific B cells and T cells into histoincompatible Rag2(-/-) mice. By means of this system, we were able to demonstrate that antigen-specific B cells are competent APC for naive CD4(+) T cells specific for the same antigen. In vivo antigen presentation resulted in expansion of both CD4(+) T cells and B cells. The antigen-presenting function of the transferred B cells was dependent on the CD154-CD40 interaction, as transfer of CD154-deficient antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells or CD40-deficient B cells failed to induce T and B cell expansion in response to immunization. These results indicate that antigen-specific B cells have the capacity to induce primary T cell responses in the absence of other competent APC.     

Induction of type 2 activity in adult human CD8(+) T cells by repeated stimulation and IL-4

Repeated administration or chronic presence of antigen during CD4(+) T cell activation and a cytokine milieu enriched in IL-4 favour the generation and maintenance of a T(h)2 population. However, there is little data on how these factors affect adult human CD8(+) T cell functions. We established in vitro conditions to culture purified human CD8(+) T cells, and investigated how repeated stimulation and exogenous IL-4 modulated their functions. Repeated TCR-CD3 stimulation of CD8(+) T cells increased the number of CD25-, CD30- and CD40 ligand-expressing cells, and their capacity to secrete IL-4 and IL-5. In addition, repeatedly stimulated CD8(+) T cells had cytotoxic activity and provided help to resting B cells for IgE synthesis. The presence of exogenous IL-4 during repeated stimulation further increased the number of CD25(+) and CD30(+) CD8(+) T cells, up-regulated the number of IL-5(+) cells, and increased IL-5 levels released. These observations demonstrate that repeated TCR-CD3 stimulation of normal human CD8(+) T cells favoured the growth of cells with a type 2 phenotype and that this was further amplified by the presence of IL-4. These mechanisms may be important in virus-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation in healthy subjects and virus-induced exacerbations of asthma.     

CD40 expressed on human melanoma cells mediates T cell co-stimulation and tumor cell growth

CD40 is a 50 kDa molecule, a member of the tumor necrosis factor/nerve growth factor receptor family. It is expressed on B cells, monocytes, dendritic cells and various malignant cells. While the critical relevance of this molecule in T cell-dependent B cell activation is already established, the biological role of CD40-CD154 interaction in non-hematopoietic cells is still unknown. Here we show that CD40 is functionally expressed on human melanoma-derived cell lines. No correlation between surface CD40 expression and the origin of the cell line, primary versus metastatic, was observed. Melanoma cells were shown to be able to co-stimulate TCR-triggered human T cells; moreover, because they do not express CD80 or CD86 co-stimulatory structures, the involvement of additional pathways have to be postulated. We have identified CD40 as one of the molecules involved in melanoma cell-mediated co-stimulation of anti-CD3-triggered human CD4(+) T lymphocytes. In addition, a CD40-dependent pathway, able to enhance tumor cell proliferation at low serum concentrations, in vitro, has been shown to be functional in human melanoma cell lines.     

Interaction between T cells and murine acquired immunodeficiency virus superantigen: effect of second signal on T cell reactivity to the MAIDS virus superantigen

A murine acquired Immunodeficiency (MAIDS) virus transformedB cell line, B6-1710, was shown to express superantigen activityand stimulate T cell hybridomas to produce IL-2. However, Tcell clones and lines from which B6-1710 reactive hybridomaswere established failed to proliferate upon stimulation withB6-1710, while B6-1710 cells were capable of presenting bacterialsuperantigen to stimulate both T cell hybridomas and clones.Proliferative response of T cells to MAIDS virus superantigencould be detected by the addition of the pharmacological agentphorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Thus, B6-1710 seems to lacka stimulatory activity necessary for the prollferative responseof T cells to the MAIDS viral superantigen. In the analysisof the response of naive splenic T cells to the MAIDS superantigen,T cells recovered from a culture stimulated with B6-1710 cellsin the presence of PMA showed no dominant TCR V_ß chainusage, while cells recovered from a culture stimulated withB6-1710 alone were dominated by T cells expressing V_ß5,11, and 12 TCR chains. These results suggest that T cells bearinga majority of TCR V_ß chains are capable of respondingto B6-1710 superantigen. The avidity of interaction betweenT cells and viral superantigen may differ significantly amongT cells and those T cells exhibiting weak interaction with MAIDSvirus superantigen may require additional signals, such as PMA,for an in vitro proliferative response to B6-1710 cells.     

B7-1-dependent co-stimulation results in qualitatively and quantitatively different responses by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells

To characterize better the co-stimulatory activity of native B7-1 in the absence of other receptor/ligand interactions that might contribute to the response, B7-1 was purified by monoclonal antibody (mAb) affinity chromatography. Immobilization of purified B7-1 with anti-T cell receptor (TCR) mAb on cell-sized latex microspheres provided an effective stimulus for activation of both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells as measured by proliferation, development of effector function, and changes in motility and adhesion. The CD4⁺ T cell response was prolonged and resulted in efficient interleukin-2 production and clonal expansion. In contrast, CD8⁺ responses were transient. Proliferation and clonal expansion peaked on days 3 and 4, coincident with maximal expression of lytic effector function, and the cells then died. These results demonstrate that B7-1 mediated co-stimulation is sufficient for the induction of effector function in both helper and cytotoxic T cell precursors, but suggest that B7-1 co-stimulation is not sufficient to sustain helper-independent CD8⁺ CTL responses. When the dose responses of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells to B7-1 were compared, CD8⁺ T cells were found to require higher densities of B7-1 to attain an equivalent level of activation, suggesting that the level of expression of B7-1 by APC may influence the development of helper or CTL responses. Finally, in contrast to results obtained by others with B7-1 transfectants, purified B7-1 did not provide co-stimulation when presented on a surface separate from the TCR stimulus.     

T cell activation by antigens on human melanoma cells co-stimulation by B7-1 is neither sufficient nor necessary to stimulate IL-2 secretion by melanoma-specific T cell clones in vitro

B7-1 expression, induced by transfection in poorly Immunogenicmurine tumours, was shown to elicit a T cell-mediated rejectionof these tumours and further active immunity against the nontransfectedtumour. We therefore asked to what level similarly induced expressionof B7 on human melanoma cells would affect the antigen-dependentresponses of tumour-specific T cell clones in vitro. Data presentedshow that B7-1 expression by melanoma lines: (i) significantlyinduced, or improved, an IL-2-dependent proliferative responseof such clones to the antigen; (ii) increased the amount ofIL-2 produced by two clones in response to the parental non-transfectedtumour cells;and (iii) increased the TNF responses of all theCD4⁺ clones. However, despite these clear co-stimulatory effectson antigen-induced responses of all T cell clones, which demonstratedaneffective interaction of the B7-1 transfected molecule withone or the other of its counter-receptors expressed on T cellclones, B7 co-stimulation did not correct the defect of IL-2secretion exhibited by many of these clones in response to invitro antigen presentation by melanoma cells. We further showthat defective IL-2 secretion in response to melanoma antigenswas not due to a T cell clone refractoriness induced by theculture, since one of these clones could be induced to secreteIL-2 by an antigen-expressing melanoma line, upon increasedlymphocyte function associated antigen-3expression induced bygene transfectlon. Together these data suggest that defectiveIL-2 secretion by many tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes clonesin response to antigen presentation by melanoma cells in vitrois not exclusively due to the inability of these cells to providean appropriate co-stimulation through the B7-1 molecule.     

结肠上皮内CD4+CD8-/CD4-CD8-αβ T淋巴细胞及细胞因子在sGVHD发生发展中的改变

目的探讨自身或同基因型骨髓移植后用环孢霉素A(CsA)短期治疗诱导的移植物抗宿主病(GVHD)及用于预防白血病复发的机制. 方法从小鼠同基因型GVHD的主要靶器官--结肠分离上皮内淋巴细胞(IEL),分析其细胞表型和细胞因子在GVHD诱导、发生中的改变,以探讨CsA诱导同基因型GVHD的机制. 结果 GVHD时IEL中CD4+ CD8-αβ T细胞明显增加,而CD4-CD8-双阴性αβ T细胞明显降低(P＜0.001),CD4+CD8-αβ/CD4-CD8-αβ T细胞的比例从正常的1.0～1.5增加到13～25,此时,细胞因子IL-12、IFN-γ、TNF-α表达明显增高.CD4+CD8-αβ/CD4-CD8-αβ T细胞的比例失调及细胞因子的改变始于CsA诱导后第3周,但γδ T细胞无明显改变. 结论结肠上皮内CD4+αβ/CD4-CD8-αβ T细胞的平衡对肠道的稳定是非常重要的,CsA诱导sGVHD导致结肠损伤的原因可能是干扰这种平衡.     

Costimulation of human CD28- T cells by 4-1BB ligand

The T cell surface protein CD28 provides a critical costimulatory signal for T cell activation. With age, humans accumulate increasing numbers of CD28- T cells, and this loss of CD28 expression is exacerbated certain disease states, such as HIV infection, autoimmune conditions or cancer. It is unclear whether CD28- T cells represent terminally differentiated effector cells or whether they remain sensitive to costimulation by CD28-independent pathways. Here, we demonstrate that 4-1 BB ligand can costimulate human CD28- T cells, resulting in cell division, inflammatory cytokine production, increased perforin levels, enhancement of cytolytic effector function, as well as the up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-X(L). Thus, human CD28- T cells can respond to costimulatory signals and as such become attractive targets for therapeutic intervention, particularly in chronic infectious and inflammatory diseases where large numbers of these cells accumulate.     

Primary porcine endothelial cells express membrane-bound B7-2 (CD86) and a soluble factor that co-stimulate cyclosporin A-resistant and CD28-dependent human T cell proliferation

Increasing evidence suggests that endothelial cells can directlyactivate syngeneic, allogeneic and xenogeneic T cells. In thisstudy we demonstrate that unstimulated, paraformaldehyde-fixedprimary porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEC) and microvascularendothelial cells (PMVEC) can provide co-stimulation for humanT cell IL-2 secretion and proliferation. EC-mediated co-stimulationhas both cyclosporin A (CsA)-sensitive and CsA-resistant components.The CsA-resistant component is completely suppressed eitherby blocking with anti-CD28 F(ab) fragments or CTLA-4-lg. Northernblot analysis of unstimulated PAEC and PMVEC with porcine-specificprobes reveals constitutive expression of B7-2 mRNA while B7-1message was not detected. hCTLA-4-lg and anti-B7-2 mAb immunoprecipitatesa single 79 kDa PMVEC surface protein. Surprisingly, PMVEC conditionedmedia also has soluble co-stimulatory activity that is blockedby anti-CD28 F(ab) fragments or anti-B7-2 mAb. These findingsdemonstrate that primary unstimulated porcine EC can co-stimulateCsA-resistant human T cell proliferation through binding ofmembrane bound, constitutively expressed EC B7-2 (CD86) to humanT cell CD28, providing one of the first demonstrations of functionalB7-2 on cells outside the immune system. In addition, PMVECsecrete or shed a soluble factor that mediates CD28-dependenthuman T cell proliferation, demonstrating the existence of solublemediators of CD28 activation.     

Interaction of B cells with activated T cells reduces the threshold for CD40-mediated B cell activation

CD154-CD40 interactions are of central importance for the induction of antibody responses to T-dependent antigens. Since most anti-CD40 mAb are only weak B cell mitogens, it is believed that under physiological conditions, signals through CD40 synergize with those from other receptors on B cells to induce B cell activation. We show here that the interaction of either normal B cells, or those from CBA/N (xid) mice, with CD3-activated primary T cells in whole spleen cell cultures markedly reduces the threshold for B cell activation via CD40. Hence, these pre-activated cells undergo vigorous proliferation when stimulated with either optimal or suboptimal concentrations of weakly mitogenic anti-CD40 mAb, or with soluble CD40 ligand. Blocking experiments indicate that the establishment of this priming effect requires stimulation via CD40 itself, plus T cell-derived IL-2. In support of this concept, only CD3/CD28-pre-activated, but not CD3-pre-activated T cells induce this effect, unless the co-cultures of B cells with the latter T cells are supplemented with IL-2. Although B cells activated in this fashion do express higher levels of CD40 than naive cells, we believe that this is insufficient to explain the observed dramatic effects on their proliferative capacity. Rather we propose that T cell-dependent B cell activation induces fundamental changes in the signalling machinery invoked by ligation of CD40. It is likely that this amplification loop could play an important role during the initiation of antibody responses to T-dependent antigens, when activated CD4 T cells only express low levels of CD154.     

Higher Bcl-2 levels decrease staphylococcal superantigen-induced apoptosis of CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Staphylococcal superantigens (SsAgs) contribute to the persistence of allergic skin inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD). The aims of this study were to (1) determine whether there are differences between AD patients and healthy subjects in SsAg-induced caspase-3 activation and SsAg-induced changes of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA levels of CD4+ T cells; (2) investigate the effect of interleukin (IL)-4 on SsAg-induced caspase-3 activation and SsAg-induced changes of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA levels of CD4+ T cells. METHODS: Using immunofluorescence staining followed by flow cytometric analysis and real-time PCR, we analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells with or without staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) stimulation in the presence or absence of recombinant IL-4 or anti-IL-4 neutralizing antibodies in 16 AD patients and 14 healthy subjects. RESULTS: SEB-reactive (TCRVbeta3+, Vbeta12+, and Vbeta17+) CD4+ T cells from AD patients were more resistant to SEB-induced caspase-3 activation and SEB-induced decrease of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA than those from healthy subjects. Exogenously added IL-4 inhibited SEB-induced caspase-3 activation and SEB-induced decrease of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA in SEB-reactive CD4+ T cells from healthy subjects. Inhibition of endogenous IL-4 by using anti-IL-4 neutralizing antibodies up-regulated SEB-induced caspase-3 activation and SEB-induced decrease of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2 mRNA in SEB-reactive CD4+ T cells from AD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Following SsAg stimulation, IL-4 produced by T cells in AD patients down-regulates SsAg-induced caspase-3 activation and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells through inhibiting the decrease of Bcl-2. This may impair deletion of SsAg-activated T cells and resolution of allergic skin inflammation.     

Characterization of splenic CD21hi T2 B cells

B cell development is a highly regulated process that initiates in the bone marrow (BM) of adult mice. After reaching the IgM⁺ immature stage in the BM, these B cells migrate to the spleen to complete maturation and incorporation into the long-lived peripheral lymphocyte pool. Studies have identified these splenic immature B cells, and have further attempted to delineate the sequence whereby they transition into mature B cells. As such, these immature splenic populations are termed transitional B cells and have been the focus of intense study. The review summarizes the phenotype and currently known functions of the four putative transitional B cell subsets identified to date. Although most appear to represent short-lived transitional B cells, the CD21^hi T2 B cell population exhibits a number of qualities that question its label as a transitional B cell subset.